| Clearwater Commons is an intergenerational residential community, with participants ranging from small children to grandparents. Members share an intention of living a lifestyle that sustains a balance between individual and community needs and the natural ecosystem.
Clearwater Commons began forming in June 2006 when a group of families purchased a 7.4-acre site on North Creek, 11 miles north of the Seattle, Washington, city limits. The site includes wetlands, wooded spaces, and a salmon stream. We plan to break ground on the site development for 16 residences plus a common house in spring 2010. We have a mix of three-bedroom townhomes and single family homes. We have seven families who are members, and nine homes to sell.
The physical design of the community represents our underlying values of community and low-impact development. Pedestrian walkways, community gardens, benches, shared tool sheds, and play spaces reflect our desire to interact with neighbors through the natural course of our days. Our shared common house allows individual dwellings to occupy a smaller footprint and minimize our impact on the earth.
The inspiration for this community grew from founding members’ involvement in The Clearwater School, located across the street. Our shared experience with the school encourages us to allow the structures for community meetings, gatherings, and events to evolve through our daily interactions, rather than follow a preset or mandated framework.
We take on a responsibility to act as stewards of our land—restoring and enhancing the natural environment, including the stream, wetlands, habitat, and wildlife. We value relationships between individuals, families, and our environment, and promote a lifestyle that will promote and sustain these relationships. We trust each family to make decisions that are aligned with our intent of sustainability and that balance individual autonomy and community needs. We expect that the specific commitments of our community will change over time, and we wish to avoid hard and fast rules. We value communication and discussion and take the time needed to voice, discuss, and understand diverse perspectives in order to reach informed and conscious decisions. Status: Site permit granted; designing residences and common house. Nine homes available. | |
Population Adult Members: 11 (Number of current members) Child Members: 7 (Children of current members) Open to new children: Yes Gender Balance: 47% M 53% F Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Ethnic Diversity: 0% identify as 'non-white' | Government Decision Making: By consensus (We strive for consensus, allowing time to understand all points of view. Use majority rule rarely if complete agreement is not possible.) Leadership Core Group: No | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (Expect members to contribute to our community depending on their interests, skills and time. We expect specific commitments to change over time and do not prescribe specific time commitments by members.) Join Fee: Yes (Must pay for an LLC share or purchase living unit when available.) Regular Fees: Yes (Regular condominium dues and expenses, i.e. utilities, maintenance, etc.) | Land and Buildings Suburban Area: 7.4 acres (3.0 hectares) (Over 4 acres is protected wetland/wildlife habitat.) Land Owned By: Other (Units and building lots owned by individuals. Majority of land and common house owned by community.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (Unknown. Will have large common garden space.) Share Community Meals: Rarely (We do not prescribe a set number of community meals, but welcome spontaneous and planned gatherings that members initiate.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (Many members place high value on organic, local food.) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Our tobacco policy is not yet defined.) | Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No Educational Style(s): Other (Each family makes their own educational choices.) | |
